DHHS Press Release
Lincoln, NE – Nebraska has been awarded $219.2 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the second year of the five-year Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) grant. Nebraska was awarded the eighth-largest allocation of RHTP funding nationwide.
“The Trump Administration’s $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program gives states the resources and flexibility to bring care closer to home and build stronger, more sustainable health care systems for their rural communities,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As the program enters its second year, this next round of funding will help Nebraska build on the progress made in year one and continue working toward lasting improvements in access, quality, and health outcomes for rural communities.”
“Strong rural communities depend on strong local health care systems,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “This continued investment from our federal partners recognizes Nebraska’s commitment to innovative, community-driven solutions that improve access to care and strengthen our rural health workforce. Receiving a larger award in the second year of this program is a testament to Nebraska’s success and the meaningful impact it is having for our rural communities.”
“We are grateful for the ongoing partnership with our federal partners and the support of Governor Pillen in advancing this important work. As Nebraska enters the second year of this grant period, we remain committed to sustaining this momentum,” said Ashley Newmyer, DHHS Director of Public Health. “This funding is helping us deliver meaningful solutions today while shaping the long‑term stability and accessibility of rural health care in Nebraska.”
Nebraska received $218.5 million for year one, which has been fully obligated to implement all seven initiatives designed to strengthen access to care, enhance health care system resilience, and improve long‑term health outcomes for Nebraskans. Throughout the first year, these initiatives have already delivered meaningful impact for rural Nebraskans.
Nebraska will continue working closely with partners across the many sectors that shape the rural health care ecosystem. In the second year of RHTP, additional funding opportunities will be available to further advance these collaborative efforts, strengthen innovation, and support sustainable improvements for rural communities.
“Nebraska remains focused on ensuring that rural Nebraskans, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable, high-quality care close to home, supported by a sustainable health care ecosystem,” said Newmyer.
To learn more, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation.aspx.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $437,776,850.43 ($218,529,075.01 for Year 1 plus $219,247,775.42 for Year 2) with 100 percent funded by CMS/US HHS. The contents are those of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/US HHS, or the U.S. Government.
